Ludhiana civic body receives 9 objections to extension of city limits

MC officials had started making announcements in villages which would come in MC limits after extension from 4 April, and people were given time until 25 April to submit their objectionsNidhi Bhardwaj | TNN | April 29, 2017, 17:30 IST

LUDHIANA: Civic officials have received nine objections from people for extension of city limits to one kilometre from villagers and village panchayats. Out of these nine objections, only one person has asked officials to increase the limits, while eight have refused. Most of them have taken the plea that they are poor and unable to bear the burden of taxes. Therefore, they should not be included within MC limits.

MC officials had started making announcements in villages which would come in MC limits after extension from 4 April, and people were given time until 25 April to submit their objections. The village panchayats of Bahadur K Road, Kanganwal, Dhandhari, Village Chitti Colony, and Chooharpur have clearly raised objections over this step. Makhan Lal, member of gram panchayat, Bahadur K Road, said: "If we come in MC limits, we will have to pay taxes like property tax, water, and sewerage dues, but we cannot afford to pay these taxes." He claimed that for development, panchayats get enough funds, and therefore, they do not want to become a part of MC.

Meanwhile, three individuals -- Mohan Pal, Munish Kumar, and Harinder Singh -- from the localities of Gill Chowk and Dholewal have also raised objections, while claiming that MC should not raise the city limits as it will add a burden on its financial status. The city area should be developed first of all, and then more areas should be added to the list. However, mayor Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria claimed that when they had started the procedure of MC limits extension, then most of the village panchayats had given their approval, and these objections would not make any difference to their decision. Though these people will be given a chance to put forth their objections, the final decision will be taken by house members, he added.